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Switch To Synthetic Oil?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by CarlosinFL, May 30, 2010.

  1. May 30, 2010 at 8:09 AM
    #1
    CarlosinFL

    CarlosinFL [OP] Mildly-Attractive

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    I just got my 2002 4 cyclinder 2WD PreRunner and it has 109k miles and runs amazing however my friends recommended I flush the entire truck and use AmsOil synthetic oil for the engine & transmission.

    I have never owned a Toyota or used synthetic motor / transmission oil so I wanted to ask here and see what you guys recommend? Do you think it's a good or bad idea? Waste of money or worth it in the long run? Is my truck too high mileage for AmsOil synthetic oil?
     
  2. May 30, 2010 at 8:13 AM
    #2
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    the only problem starting syntetics at a high mileage engine is that it might cause oil leaks. so that said after you change all the fluids take time to check everything out to make sure that there are no leaks of any kind. if there are switch back to dyno, it should clog it back up. if you want to keep running synthetic then change out all the gaskets and such
     
  3. May 30, 2010 at 8:13 AM
    #3
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    there are toyota engines that have gone 400k miles on dyno
     
  4. May 30, 2010 at 8:17 AM
    #4
    04LTtacoma

    04LTtacoma Well-Known Member

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    I use max life which is half synthetic and half regular oil. If I was to go full synthetic I would go with Red Line.
     
  5. May 30, 2010 at 8:18 AM
    #5
    08pretaco

    08pretaco Well-Known Member

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    mobile 1 seems to be probably the most popular synthetic from the forum from all the threads and polls
     
  6. May 30, 2010 at 8:24 AM
    #6
    CarlosinFL

    CarlosinFL [OP] Mildly-Attractive

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    I was told that AmsOil is by far the best synthetic oil available. I am sure they're all fine but Mobile 1 is perhaps popular because of the price and availability. I don't see how it can be a better synthetic oil from AmsOil.

    As for the leaks, I am guessing that if I switch and have no leaks, it should be fine...
     
  7. May 30, 2010 at 8:33 AM
    #7
    04LTtacoma

    04LTtacoma Well-Known Member

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    Red line is the best oil. I will tell you about this story when I was young and dumb. Haha. I was working at a Subaru dealership as a lube tech. Occasionally I would get to change the oil on a WRX STI. This really nice limited STI came in to have an oil change done. As I was changing the oil I forgot to tighten the drain plug on the bottom. BTW I have like 10 oil changes in line and my service writer is telling me to hurry the heck up cuz we have customers waiting so you were always pressured to get things done in time. So I get done changing the oil on this STI. The customer goes to the cashiers office and pays then leave. He comes back later that day with no drain plug. Haha. His car had no problems, it was working fine for the most part. He was really pissed though and I would be too if it was my 30k dollar ride. Anyways the oil I put in was Red line. Most people told me it was the red line that kept his vehicle from blowing up. Haha. I had changed the oil again on his car. Made sure that I tightened that DP tight. From there on he never came back. My boss had a small chat with me later that day telling me how lucky I was that STI motor didn't blow up. Would have been about 6k to repair or replace should I say....
     
  8. May 30, 2010 at 8:37 AM
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    CarlosinFL

    CarlosinFL [OP] Mildly-Attractive

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    ^
    That story can be told with "insert your favorite oil here". Not saying Redline isn't good but it's Pepsi or Coke discussion.
     
  9. May 30, 2010 at 8:57 AM
    #9
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Thats a myth. Switching to synthetic wont hurt a thing.
     
  10. May 30, 2010 at 10:19 AM
    #10
    CarlosinFL

    CarlosinFL [OP] Mildly-Attractive

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    I think back in the 80's 90's this was typical of most synthetic oils however with technology and formula changes this is no longer typical unless you have severe seal issues on the motor.
     
  11. May 30, 2010 at 10:34 AM
    #11
    dhurley

    dhurley Well-Known Member

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    ^The websites for Amsoil, Mobil and Valvoline all say the same thing, MYTH.
    MaxLife is 30%synthetic & 70% dino.
     
  12. May 30, 2010 at 10:52 AM
    #12
    Toyota Truck

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    Wow! I havn't seen a "Should I switch to synthetic oil thread" for a while now, but yes you should switch to syn. No reason you shouldn't.
     
  13. May 30, 2010 at 12:42 PM
    #13
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    Agreed!
    Why spend the extra money?
    These are not race engines.
     
  14. May 30, 2010 at 12:56 PM
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    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    Because oil is the life blood of the engine, why not put the best of the best in your engine? Why drive when knowing that you could have something better to put in?

    Plus you can go longer on the change intervals, which can make up some of that price difference.
    Dino is good oil to use, and I understand these are not race engines. But synthetic oil is so much better all around.
     
  15. May 30, 2010 at 1:20 PM
    #15
    DGXR

    DGXR Well-Known Member

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    Personally, I would use synthetic if I spent 40k or more on my ride or if I abused the engine on a regular basis, that's just my threshhold and my logic. Dinosaur oil is good oil and it works fine for the average everyday vehicle owner. If you abuse your engine regularly, a switch to synth may be justified. But I see no need to spend twice as much for oil that may or may not make my engine last longer... besides, the 2.7 in my 2006 is bound to outlast the chassis anyway. As long as I keep up with the maintenance intervals, I sleep great at night. That is how I see it.
     
  16. May 30, 2010 at 2:04 PM
    #16
    DarrellH3

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    Switching from dyno to synthetic after that many miles you are just asking for oil leak trouble. I have been there/done that. Some say that the oil leaks will stop after switching back but it didn't for me. I use synthetic but would never change after more than 15 or 20K miles.
     
  17. May 30, 2010 at 4:53 PM
    #17
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule and use the recommended fluids and your vehicle will be fine.
     
  18. May 30, 2010 at 5:10 PM
    #18
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    Yes it will be fine, but better is better.
     
  19. May 30, 2010 at 5:16 PM
    #19
    Firsttaco

    Firsttaco Well-Known Member

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    I just switched to Amsoil for my truck. Did a little research on some synthetic oils out there and it seemed the best. I have heard that people say that its harder to find then Mobil 1 and its more expencive, but thats not the case. I found out that you can become a dealer of Amsoil for 30$ Canadian a year and you then can buy anything Amsoil sells and you get whole sale prices. And when you order its shipped directly to your door, or if you are near the wharehouse you can just go and pick it up. So if any one wants just click the link and choose what you want. I just saved 6.50$ a litter when I bought a case. Its totally worth it.
    http://www.oildepot.ca/wholesale-accounts/wholesale-accounts.html
     
  20. May 30, 2010 at 5:54 PM
    #20
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    Did I see your Taco in the Indy 500 today?:D
    Madison Avenue wins again.
     

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